Page 5 of Mating at Midnight: Book 1

Levi peers at me before saying, “Okay, Alpha.”

The guards led us to the conference room where we were meeting with the department managers.

At the door, the guard in front opens it. Levi steps in first and I follow. A few of the managers who were at the hotel when we checked in eyes widened. Surprise, surprise.

I walk to the head of the table, then place my hands on the top of the executive chair.

“Good morning, everyone. I’m Braxton Hillard, owner of the new Hillard Hotel.” I introduced myself before pulling the chair out, then sitting. “Some of you might have seen me over the weekend, and yes, I didn’t announce who I was because, I like to get my own view of shit without you all knowing who I am.” I scanned the room.

My attention goes to the opening door and the coffee lady walks in. Now, I can fully see the intoxicating brown skin woman with naturally curled hair that hung past her shoulder. She’s dressed in a peach satin blouse that compliments her skin. The slacks she has on are befitting to her womanly figure.

Levi must have caught onto my loss of words as he sat at the other end of the table, then said, “I’m Levi Cornell, financial adviser to Mr. Hillard. We would appreciate it if you all would go around the table, introduce yourselves to us, and let us know which departments you’re over.”

The surprised expression covers the woman’s face as she focuses on me. She quickly pulls herself together and makes her way to the empty chair, two down from me on the left side. She places the strap of her purse on the back of the chair before sitting her briefcase on the table. She then opens it and retrieves a notepad and pen. She closes the briefcase, then sits it on the floor next to her. I’m bewildered as she smiles at everyone at the table as if our little coffee-gate didn’t happen minutes ago.

Sid, the manager of maintenance starts off, but I barely heard what he was saying or the next three managers. As much as I try to listen to the pros and cons of their departments, my focus is on the brown beauty who gives her attention to each of her colleagues as they speak.

Finally, it’s her turn.

“Good morning. Everyone here except for Mr. Hillard and Mr. Cornell know I’m Nyah Lightfeather, the new General Manager of this Hillard Hotel.” The other managers around the table clap.

If we were in a cartoon, I’m sure my jaw would have hit the fucking table when she said her name. Fuck my life! My wolf perks up, causing me to internally keep him at bay from trying to shift.

Lightfeather isn’t a common name, so she has to be related to Alpha Noah Lightfeather. Yeah, it’s best I keep my distance from her. If it’s not about discussing hotel operations, there’s not anything for us to talk about.

I’ve been in this situation too many times where the Alpha’s daughter or daughters thought they could hook me. After disclosing to them, I’m not that one you want to sink your claws for a mate. They thought they could change the way I felt. While being in bed with all three of them separately and together, neither could change my mind into making either one my mate. We had fun but they were not my mates. I was there only forthe eroticism. How many men, shifter or otherwise can say they fucked three sisters at once? I’ll sit back and wait. Yeah, that’s what I thought.

My wolf and I always thought no human woman or wolf will ever have us hanging up our bachelor shoes. We loved our single life and the way my work keeps me on the move, I didn’t have time for any type of serious relationship and that was fine with me. Too bad we’re having second thoughts about it now.

I sit back in my chair, listening to Nyah continue.

“After working at the front desk for years and being privy to day-to-day operations with all the departments, I can honestly say we are a tight knit family here and do our jobs accordingly. That being said,” she calmly moves her eyes towards me. “Mr. Hillard, each department could use an overhaul. When you have some time, as the new General Manager, I think we should meet so I can give you the notes that I have.” She glances at the other department heads, who obviously agree. Nyah gives me a challenging look.

Not only had she spilled her coffee on me, but now Nyah’s also calling me out in front of other staff members. Trying to sound professional, I say, “I would love to see your notes, Mrs. Lightfeather.”

She raises her perfectly arched eyebrow, then returns, “That’s Ms. Lightfeather and thank you,” she responds before sitting down.

As she took her seat, I noticed the Alpha Female tattoo on her wrist. That explains her defiance and protectiveness. Alpha Females are just as dangerous as Alpha Males. The only ones who could rein in their defiant behavior are the Alpha of their pack or their mate. Nyah saw me as neither which is why she reacted the way she did in her wolf form and at the elevator. It was my conduct at the elevator that made her respond the way she did. I mean, she did try apologizing and I was an asshole. Bethat as it may, I won’t beg for her forgiveness. I’m an Alpha and we don’t do that kind of shit.

After the last Manager introduced themselves, I turned the rest of the meeting over to Levi to conduct. My mind and my wolf were too preoccupied with thoughts of Nyah. Levi let them know what we expected and what we had in mind to upgrade each department. Everyone was happy to hear that. Before the meeting was concluded, I addressed Blake, the Manager over Valet, and the Bellhops.

“Blake,” I called out, getting his attention.

He grins. “Yes, Mr. Hillard?”

I pick up the pen on the pad in front of me and start doodling. “Blake, are you aware that your bellhop, Justin, is offering services that are not of the Hillard Hotel standards?”

Blake’s grin falls as his cheeks flush. “No, no sir, I wasn’t aware of that.”

I stop gliding the pen across the paper. With my wolf senses, I could smell deception as if it were a fragrant perfume on an alluring woman. Narrowing my eyes at him, I say, “I thought you would say that, but from the way your pulse is beating rapidly and the way you’re sweating, I’m sure you did.”

Blake holds up his hands in defense. “Now hold on a minute, Mr. Hillard. If Justin is doing any funny business, I have no knowledge of it. I will personally make sure he is terminated effectively.”

Smirking, I tell him, “I’m sure you will, but as my colleague and I said earlier, we will be upgrading all departments and that includes staff too. You and Justin are no longer employed at Hillard Hotel as of this moment.”

“You can’t do that!” Blake seethes, standing. “I have worked here for the last fifteen fucking years without any incidents, and I’m supposed to give all of that up just because of one idiot underme. I don’t think so. I have seniority and time invested, not to mention my 401k plan. If you fire me, I will sue your ass.”

Gasps are heard around the room. Blake’s asinine threats are probably what has kept the asshole here for so long, but they weren’t going to work with me. Levi makes a move towards him, but I halt his steps, snapping my fingers. Slowly, I rise from my chair, then adjust my cuffs.

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